South Fork Coeur d'Alene River Sewer District

New Customer FAQ’s

 

Q1. What is South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District (District)?
A1. The District is a public utility authorized under Idaho Code 42-3201 for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, prosperity, security and general welfare of the inhabitants of the District. We provide wastewater collection, conveyance and treatment to residential and commercial customers in the Silver Valley.

Q2. Does the District provide drinking water?
A2. No, we are strictly a wastewater utility. Drinking water is provided by East Shoshone Water District from Mullan to Silverton, Central Shoshone Water District from Osburn to Smelterville, and Pinehurst Water District in Pinehurst. Please contact them directly for their fees and connection requirements.

Q3. What areas does South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District serve?
A3. Mullan to Pinehurst (except City of Smelterville)

Q4. What does South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District do?
A4. We own the interceptor that transports wastewater to the treatment plants, and we treat the wastewater. We also own collection lines in the areas outside the cities of Mullan, Wallace, Osburn and Kellogg.

Q5. Does South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District own the entire sewer system?
A5. No, the city of Mullan, Wallace, Osburn and Kellogg own and maintain their own collection systems and charge customers separately for collecting wastewater. The wastewater is transported through the District’s interceptor to treatment plants at Page and Mullan and treated by the District. (The City of Smelterville collects and treats their own wastewater).

Q6. Is there a separate bill for collections in the cities of Mullan, Wallace, Osburn and Kellogg?
A6. Yes, please contact them directly for the costs associated. Note: If you live in one of the cities listed above, you will receive two sewer bills. One from South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District and one from the city you live in.

Q7. What are the user rates for South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District?
A7. The Sewer District has two different rates for residential customers depending on where the property is located. Properties outside of the cities mentioned above are charged $115.50 per quarter, which covers the cost for collection, interceptor, and treatment. Customers within one of these cities pays the city directly for collection and pays the Sewer District $109.50 per quarter for interceptor and treatment. Commercial users are charged based on water usage (please ask for additional information if you are a commercial user)

Q8. How often does South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District bill its customers?
A8. We bill quarterly on the first business day of the quarter, with the payment due the last day of the quarter. Our billing quarters are as follows:

• December 1st - February 28th

• March 1st – May 31st

• June 1st – August 31st

• September 1st - November 30th

Q9. What is the homeowner’s responsibility?
A9. The homeowner is responsible for initial construction and ongoing maintenance and repair of the service from the connection at the collection main (typically in the street) to the building.

Q10. What is the NUFF? What does it cover and how is it computed?
A10. The NUFF is a one-time fee paid by the property owner at the time of connection of a new service lateral to the collection line. It grants the property owner the right to discharge sewer to the collection system. The purpose of the NUFF is to cover the sewer district’s cost to convey and treat the wastewater. Building new pipes, pump stations and treatment plants is expensive.  The NUFF ensures that the cost of infrastructure is distributed to customers fairly and helps make sure that “growth pays for growth.”

At this time, the New User Facility Fee (NUFF), also known as a permit or connection fee, is $5,811.00 for a single residence. The NUFF is transferrable with change of ownership but remains with the parcel for which it was paid. The District reviews the cost every few years and it is subject to change to account for the latest infrastructure improvements. The NUFF amount is calculated according to a formula established by the Idaho Supreme Court: (Net Present Day Value of System) ÷ (Number of Users System can Support).

Q11. How much is the NUFF and how is it computed?

A11. The NUFF fee for Residential and Commercial users is $5811.00. It is computed by the Supreme Court dictated formula; Net present day value ÷ number of users current system can support.

Q12. Does the NUFF cover construction costs?
A13. No, the customer is responsible for all construction costs to install a new sewer lateral and connect it to the collection line. Some properties also require a septic tank to be installed by the customer depending on the location.

Q13. Is there a separate NUFF for the cities of Mullan, Wallace, Osburn and Kellogg?
A14. Yes, please contact them directly for the costs associated. Beware, they may have a different name for this fee such as a Service Connection Charge or Capitalization Fee.

Q14. What is the process for connecting a property to the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District?
A15. Contact South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District to start the permit process, complete the paperwork, pay the NUFF, then be sure to call us to have the connection inspected before your contractor covers it. If this connection is in the City of Mullan, Wallace, Osburn or Kellogg, please contact them for their connection process as well.

Q16. How do I find out more about South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District?
A16. Visit www.southforksd.com or call 208-753-8041

Glossary:

Collection Line: Main sewer line in the street that conveys flow from multiple service connections
Interceptor: Large pipe that transports wastewater from the collection lines to the treatment plant
Lateral: Sewer service pipe from the house to the collection line
NUFF: New user facility fee

Agency Contact List:

South Fork Coeur d’Alene River Sewer District                                                208-753-8041

City of Mullan                                                                                                        208-744-1515

City of Wallace                                                                                                      208-752-1147

City of Osburn                                                                                                       208-752-0001

City of Kellogg                                                                                                       208-786-9131

City of Smelterville                                                                                                208-786-3351

Shoshone County Planning & Zoning                                                                 208-752-8891

East Shoshone Water District: Covers Mullan to Silverton                               208-752-1174

Central Shoshone Water District: Covers Osburn to Smelterville                    208-786-9141

Pinehurst Water District: Covers Pinehurst                                                        208-682-3611